Adapt this "Read and Say" Strategy for Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Readers!

Thanks to Mandy Paquette of Joliet Junior College for this reading strategy.

"Some of my best results and student input have come from the simplest strategy, called Read and Say. Just as it says, the teacher and students collaboratively read a text (usually aloud, with partner reading), and then use sentence starters to say something about what they're read. Sentence starters include: "I wonder... This reminds me of... I was surprised that... I am confused about... I think this means... I learned that..." You really do get the best answers from students, and it works extremely well for students who love being verbal instead of in writing."

Although this strategy is successful for beginning students, the concept can be adapted for more advanced readers to teach critical thinking skills and college reading aptitudes.

Mandy is Literacy Support Specialist for volunteer tutors in the JJC district area and a participant in the northern group for the Institute to Credential Special Learning Needs Resource Specialists.